PFAS in food contact materials (164 compounds)

This test is used to evaluate the color fastness of dyed or printed paper or board that is intended to come into contact with food. The applied simulants are Olive oil, 3% acetic acid, Alkaline salt solution (saliva simulant), Distilled water. Color transfer is assessed against a greyscale according to standard EN 646.

Specific migration of hexamethylene diisocyanate [CAS: 822-06-0] from a sample or material intended for food contact. The substance is listed under FCM 372 and Ref No. 18640 in European Commission Regulation No 10/2011 on plastic food contact materials. The specific migration limit (SML) of hexamethylene diisocyanate is ND (not detected), which means migration must not be observed with a 0.01 mg/kg detection limit. Note that we also offer an isocyanate testing package for measuring the residual content of hexamethylene diisocyanate and three additional isocyanates.

Determination of certain aromatic amines derived from azo dyes in accordance with the standard EN 14362-1.

Printing ink set-off can occur on the reverse side of printed labels, lids, cups, and packaging film, either in a stack or in the reel after printing. This creates a potential for low-molecular-weight substances to transfer to the unprinted surface of the packaging that makes contact with the packed contents. We offer two food simulant options for set-off testing: Ethanol solution for plastic and polymer-coated materials, Simulant E (Tenax) for the above and paper and board. The price includes a simple risk assessment based on the Swiss Ordinance for printing inks (SR 817.023.21), EU regulations for food contact materials, and EFSA's Threshold of Toxicological Concern (TTC) approach. More extensive risk assessment is available upon request.

Specific migration of elements listed in Annex II of Commission Regulation (EU) 2020/1245 of 2 September 2020 amending and correcting Regulation (EU) No 10/2011. The test covers the following elements: Lithium (Li), Sodium (Na), Magnesium (Mg), Aluminum (Al), Potassium (K), Calcium (Ca), Chromium (Cr), Manganese (Mn), Iron (Fe), Cobalt (Co), Nickel (Ni), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), Antimony (Sb), Barium (Ba), Lanthanum (La), Europium (Eu), Gadolinium (Gd), Terbium (Tb), Mercury (Hg), Lead (Pb), Sum of lanthanides – Eu, Gd, La, Tb. In addition, the test includes specific migration testing of ammonium ion, which is performed separately from elemental migration analysis.

Glyoxal (CAS 107-22-2) can be used as a cross-linker in paper, board, corrugated board, and textile products. According to German BfR Recommendation XXXVI on paper and board food contact materials, the extract of the finished product must not contain more than 1.5 mg of glyoxal per dm2.

Specific migration of formaldehyde [CAS 50-00-0; Ref No 17260/54880; FCM 98] from a plastic food contact material. The compound is listed under FCM 98 in Annex I of European Regulation No 2011/10. Formaldehyde is grouped with FCM 196 and FCM 344 in Group 15. Together, the compounds have a specific migration limit (SML) of 15 mg/kg (expressed as formaldehyde). We also offer testing for fiber-based food contact materials - see formaldehyde content in extracts of paper and board.

Analysis of the migration of non-intentionally added substances (NIAS) into selected food simulant. NIAS have various sources and can be grouped into side products, breakdown products, and contaminants. The service is available with the following simulants: 50% ethanol, 95% ethanol, and iso-octane - suitable for plastic materials and materials with polymer coatings, Dry food simulant (Tenax) - also suitable for materials that cannot withstand liquid simulants (e.g. paper and board). The lower displayed price covers testing with liquid simulants and the higher with Tenax. A simple risk assessment based on EU regulations for food contact materials and EFSA's Threshold of Toxicological Concern (TTC) approach is included in the cost. More extensive risk assessment is available upon request.

Migration of lead and cadmium from ceramics, glass, and enameled articles. For ceramic articles and tableware, limits defined in Commission Directive 2005/31/EC (amending Council Directive 84/500/EEC) apply: Category Limit for lead Limit for cadmium Articles which cannot be filled and articles which can be filled, the internal depth of which, measured from the lowest point to the horizontal plane passing through the upper rim, does not exceed 25 mm 0.8 mg/dm2 0.07 mg/dm2 All other articles which can be filled 4.0 mg/l 0.3 mg/l Cooking ware; packaging and storage vessels having a capacity of more than three liters 1.5 mg/l 0.1 mg/l In addition, limits for the release of lead (2 mg/article) and cadmium (0.2 mg/article) for articles with a lip and rim area (such as cups and mugs) have been defined in standard ISO 4531-1/2:1998. For glass and enameled products, no harmonized regulation exists currently within the European Union. By convention, limits defined by Commission Directive 2005/31/EC can be applied. However, member states can impose additional or separate restrictions regarding migration limits, tested elements, and/or test conditions. Examples of specific requirements defined at the national level are listed below: Member state Regulation Specific requirements* France Fiche MCDA n°2 (V01 – 01/05/2016) Ceramics & glass: separate migration limits for articles with a lip and rim area, migration limits for Al, Co, and As. Enameled and decorated articles other than ceramics: migration limit for Cr VI. Italy Ministerial Decree of 21/03/1975, as amended Lead glass: separate test method and migration limit for Pb. The Netherlands Commodities Act (Packagings and Consumer Articles) Glass and glass ceramics: separate migration limits for Sb, As, Ba, B, Cd, Ce, Cr, F, Co, Li, Pb, Mn, Ni, Rb, Zr. Ceramics and enamels: separate migration limits for As, Ba, B, Cd, Cr, Co, Hg, Li, Pb, Rb, Se, Sr. Finland Degree (KTM) 268/1992 Glass, enamels, and ceramics with lip and rim area and/or intended for toddlers: separate migration limits for Pb, Cd, Ni, Cr. * Testing for specific requirements is possible for an additional cost Some of the available test methods are listed below: Material type Product type Migration method Available methods Ceramics Flatware (e.g. plates) Total immersion EN 1388-1, ASTM C 738 Ceramics Holloware (e.g. cups) Article fill EN 1388-1, ASTM C 738 Glass Flatware (e.g. plates) Total immersion EN 1388-2 Glass Holloware (e.g. cups) Article fill ISO 7086-1 Ceramics, glass, enameled metal Holloware (e.g. cups) Lip and rim test ASTM C 927

Analysis to determine the specific migration of fluorescent whitening agent 2,5-bis(5-tert-butyl-2-benzoxazolyl)thiophene, known by the trade name Uvitex OB [CAS: 7128-64-5], from a sample or material intended for food contact. The substance is listed under FCM 500 and Ref No. 38560 in European Commission Regulation No 2011/10 on plastic food contact materials. The specific migration limit (SML) for Uvitex OB is 0.6 mg/kg of food.